Word Origin & History

positive c.1300, a legal term meaning "formally laid down," from O.Fr. positif (13c.), from L. positivus "settled by arbitrary agreement, positive" (opposed to naturalis "natural"), from positus, pp. of ponere "put, place" (see position). Sense broadened to "expressed without qualification" (1598), then "confident in opinion" (1665); mathematical use is from 1704; in electricity, 1755. Psychological sense of "concentrating on what is constructive and good" is recorded from 1916. Positivism (1847) is the philosophy of Auguste Comte, who published "Philosophie positive" in 1830.

Example Sentences for positive

Nevertheless the craving endured, at times a positive hunger.

“I will give no positive answer, Martin,” replied Mr Campbell.

After all, in her finest moments, France has a positive genius for warfare.

The negative side of noblesse oblige is more important than the positive.

Over her harsh, positive features fell a sort of transforming veil.

The taboos are turned into laws and are enforced by positive penalties.

There are three degrees of comparison,the positive, the comparative, and the superlative.

I knew you must be on to something or you wouldn't have been so positive.

Popery can only gain strength two ways—by positive persecution, and by indifference as to its movements.